Door check and closer.



W. S. PNKEN. DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER. APPMCAHON FILED MAR.12,1913.

Patented Dec. l5, 1914.

Sri.. 2:3: N am@ WALTER S. FINKEN, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

D003 Y'CHECK AND CLOSER.

meneer.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 15, 1914.

Application led March 12, 1913. Scr'al No. 753,663.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, WAL'lnR S. FINKEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Door Checks and Closers, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to improvements in door-checks and closers, and the main object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which will cooperate properly with the door to be checked and yet will be substantially wholly concealed within the door itself, and will not present the unsightly appearance of door-checks as ordinarily used.

ln carrying the invention into etfect, I make use of a checking device within the door and embodying an element -relatively movable in the door, usually crosswise thereof, the preferred construction being one in which a piston is movable in a cop erating fixture, such as a cylinder, and is combined with a liquid reservoir in such a manner as to form a liquid-check. In addition to these devices, and 1n connection therewith, there will ordinarily be employed a strong spring for returning the door to its normal position, the tension of which spring may be regulated by means also located within the door. A further regulation of the action of the door-,check is obtained by providing a passage connecting the cylinder and the liquid reservoir for communication, and by employing in connection with such passage means for varying the area thereof to regulate the speedV of flow of the fluid checking medium through it. The preferred constructionis one in which two reciprocating pistons and cylinders, disposed oppositely to each other, are so combined that both of the pistons may be operated through a single set of connections to a proper point in the doorframe, in a manner which will be hereinafter more fully described.

Other features of the invention relate to means for stopping the door in any desired angular open position, for securing the door in such position, and to various other features which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a plan, away, illustrating a door-check embodying my present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a detail illustrating in edge elevation a device for controlling the securing of the door in the desired angular open position, and will be hereinafter more fully described; Fig. et is a detail illustrating in vertical section and elevation the principal element for securing the door in the desired angular open posi tion, the section being taken in line 1 -4, Fig.V 2, and Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating in a similar manner in vertical section and elevation, a ratchet-wheel for tensioning the spring' of the checking device,the section being taken in line 5`5, Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6*-6 of Fig. 2, the piston being omitted for the sake of clearness; and Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken on line 7*? of Fig. 2, the piston structure being omitted.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

As before stated, the principal feature of my invention is a concealed or invisible door-check located substantially wholly within a door, in order not to disligure the appearance of the same, and yet so constructed as to constitute an elicient means for checking the closing movement of a door. Ordinarily my improved door-cheer will be applied to a door near the upper edge thereof, the constructionV illustrated beingone in which substantially all of the principal elements of the door-check are contained within a casing located at the upwith partsV broken per edge of, and intended to be inclosedV by the door, whether said door is of wood or metal. 4In the construction illustrated, a casing suitable for the reception of the various working parts is shown, and it extends substantially from edge to edge of the door transversely thereof. This casing is designated generally by 2. As illustrated, it embodies two mainrparts, one of which constitutes in this construction a closed liquid chamber or liquid reservoir for containing a suitable liquid, such as oil, while the other is a casing for receiving the connections to the door-frame and certain other parts which will be hereinafter described. The casing `for these connections is indicated at 3,V and the liquid reservoir is shown at of the upper edge of a door, etc.,

` sie f communicates freely with the liquid reservoir for positively moving 4. Said reservoir is preferably closed'by a suitable tight cover 5, for: preventing escape of the contained liquid, and the casing 3 is also shown as closedby a cover 6.

rlhe principal element of the door-checking device is one that has a relative movement within the door, preferably transversely thereof, this element usually being a reciprocating piston mounted to work in a suitable cylinder. Here a piston suitable for the purpose is indicated at 7, and a suitable cylinder at S. r1`his cylinder, as shown, is substantially closedv at its outer end and is open at its inner end where it the interior of 1. The piston 7 is intended to travel back and forth in inder S and is suitably connected to a proper piston-rod, such as 9, which in turn will4 have connections with a proper iiXed point in the door-frame, for the purpose of obtaining the necessary to and fro movement of the piston and the piston-rod. These connections may be any suitable for the ipurpose, but are illustrated herein as a pair l of connected links, such as 10 kand 11, the former of which is pivoteddirectly to the free end of the piston-rod 9, whilethe latter is pivoted at its inner end to the other end of the link 10 and at its outer end to a suitable` fixed point in the door-frame, which point in this case is located in an element, 12, coacting with the inner edge 13 of the door and adapted to'be rigidly attached to the door-frame.

The fixed pivot ofthe link or rocker 11 is indicated at' 14 and the pivot points of.

connection of the link 10 to the piston-rod and the link 11 are designated by 15 and 16 respectively. It will. be noticed that the link or rock-arm .11 has two angular faces disposed substantially at an angle of ninety degrees to each other and designated by 17 and 18 respectively, for limiting the swinging movement of the arm 11 in one or the other direction asthe case may be. rIhese stop-faces on the part llcoperate respectively with fiXedxangular stop-faces, 19 and 20, on the element 12 ofi the door-frame, the extent of movement of the part 11 Lin either the corresponding stop-face 19 or 2O.y

In connectionwith the devices just described, a suitable actuator will be employed the door toward its closed position after it has been opened. For this purpose I prefer to make use of a suitable strong spring with the other elements just described.J In the construction illustrated a `strong coiled spring is shown at 21 for this purpose, one end of said spring being secured to a head or collar, 22, that is fast on and moves with the piston-rod 9, and the other end of which is suitably secured to a fixed part of the slide, said ratchet-wheel being the cylf and` direction is ofcourse determined by properly combined Y door.V Here this other end vof the spring is shown as secured to a ratchet-wheel, 23, through which the piston-rod 9 is free to held against movement with the piston-rod by a fixed stop or partition, in the form of a U-shaped rib 24, in the casing 8 and by a stop, 25, at

' the opposite side of said ratchet .wheel and being vheld peripherally by a pawl 23. rIhis pawl 23 ts into the teeth of the ratchet wheel 23, in such a manner as to jamitself between the ratchet wheel and the inner. lwall of the casing and prevent the spring 21 from' been twisted. If it is turning after it has desired to put morel tension on the spring after the door check is in position on the door, the cover 6 is removed and a suitable tool used as a lever to turn the ratchet. The ratchet-wheel may be turned between its stops to vary the tension of the spring 21, and when properly adjusted may be held in place by a shown at 23; It will be obvious from this description of the piston, the piston-rod, the spring, and the operating connections to the fixed element 1-2 of the door-frame, that when the door 4is opened and the connections 10, 11, etc., move to the right and partially withdraw from the door, be under tension, and when so tensioned will be in a condition for returning said parts, including the piston-rod 9 and the piston 7 to their normal positions after the door has been opened to the desired 'extent and then released. This relativemovement of the connections with respect to the door is permitted because of the manner in which the connecting means described is joined to the fixed element or door-frame. The point of connection'with the door-frame is at one side of and at a considerabledistance from the usual pivot of the door hinge (not shown) and when of the door and the door-'frame in the plane in which they are in juxtaposition when the door is closed. rllhismovement of the door in opening is sufficient to give the necessary movement, through the connections 411, 10 and 9, to the piston 7, and the angularity of the door movement is not onlytaken care of, by providing vertical pivots at 15 and 16, but serves as ameans for increasing the movement of the piston, owing to the fact that the link 10 turns about the pivot 16 relatively to the kpart 11 when the door movement is continued after thev striking of therstop face 17 or 18 against the corresponding stop face 19 or'20,

In the construction illustrated I have shown two pistons and cylinders disposed oppositely to each other. This second cylinder and piston are indicated at v26 and 27 respectively. The cylinder 26 is substansuitable pawl,` such as that the spring 21 willv spectively tially similar in construction to the cylinder 8, and each piston contains a ball valve 28, controlling a longitudinal passageway, 29, in the piston, the movement of the ball lengthwise of the piston being limited by the stop wall at the end of the bore 29 in one direction, and by a pin, 30, in the opposite direction. This ball valve of course serves in one position to prevent the efflux of the liquid from the cylinder 26, when the piston is moving inward, and permits the flow of the liquid through the piston into the closed end of the cylinder when the piston is traveling outward. In connection with each of these liquid checking devices I prefer to employ suitable means for regulating the resistance opposed to the movement of the piston, particularly when the door is closing. Each cylinder, as before stated, is intended to be in connection with the main reservoir and there is shown at the closed end of each cylinder a passage communicating with the main portion of the reservoir. These passages are indicated reat 3l and 32. Each is preferably a relatively long passage extending lengthwise of the cylinder and at the far end thereof reduced in area, it being shown as tapering to a point at its far end. This provides for increasing the resistance opposed to the closing of the door during the last part of the closing movement of the door. In addition the normal area of each opening is preferably regulable in a suitable manner, as, for example, by adjusting screws, 33 and 34, the latter of which, it will be noticed, is practically concealed in the bore in which it is adjusted. By means of these adjusting screws any desired regulation of the checking action within proper limits may be obtained. The passage 3l communicates with the main reservoir by means of a longitudinal passage 3l formed in the solid corner portion of the casting, as shown in Fig. 7. This passage discharges at the end of cylinder S into the reservoir, as best shown in F ig. 2.

The connecting means before described for joining the piston-rod 9 to the fixed part l2 of the door-frame is preferably common to both of the pistons. In this construction the piston 27 is illustrated as having a short piston-rod, 35, guided and supported on antifriction rolls, such as 3G, and suitably connected to the other piston-rod The connecting means employed may be any proper for the purpose. In the construction shown each piston-rod has a rack or rack teeth at one side thereof, these rods being indicated at 37 and 3S. As shown, they are parallel, with the teeth facing toward each other, and are separated just sufliciently to enable the teeth of both racks to mesh with the teeth of a spur pinion,

" 39, mounted for rotation on a pin, 40, supported in a suitable transverse bearing, 41,

in the casing 4. These racksV and the pinion are so combined that when the pistonrod 9 is operated in one direction or the other, the spur-pinion 39 will be turned by the teeth of the rack 37 and will in turn impart reciprocating movement to the piston-rod 35. It will be noticed, however, that the piston-rods 9 and 35 and the pistons carried thereby are always moved in opposite directions. The parts are so combined that this will produce the proper checking action, each of the pistons being shown in the drawings as disposed inv corresponding positions, that is, substantially at the inner ends of their respective cylin- Y ders, although they have been moved practically to the limit of their travel and in opposite directions to each other by the action of the gear teeth just described.

e casing 4 constituting the liquid reservoir, is closed at its outer end by the end of the casing as shown, but at the inner end where the piston-rod is movable back and forth through the inner end wall of said casing, it is necessary to provide a suitable packing, such as the stufling box 42, for the purpose of preventing the oil or other liquid in the reservoir from having free access to the chamber 3.

The devices previously described, to wit, the pistons and cylinders, the spring for returning them to their normal positions after the door has been opened, and the connections cooperating therewith and with the door-frame, constitute a suiiicient means for closing the door and properly checking such closing movement. lVhen, however, it is desired either to limit the extent of the opening movement of the door or to hold the door open after it has been opened, as will frequently be the case, some additional means must be provided for the purpose. In the construction illustrated Ihave shown a simple type of adjustable stop device for determining the extent of the angular opening movement of the door, and I have also illustrated means for preventing the closing of the door by the spring at certain times, and for holding the door when opened in any desired angular positic-n. In the construction shown the plate 6 which covers the chamber or casing 3 has, in this instance, an adjustable stop or pin, 43, movable to any one of a plurality of positions for limiting the extent of the opening movement of the door. This pin is intended to come in contact with a projecting face of the connections to the pis- Y ton and by stopping further movement of said connections to the right, as seen in Figs. l and 2, limit the extent of the angular opening movement of the door. angle may be varied at will by varying the position of the stop 43, and in order to permit said stop to be set in any one of. a plurality of positions 1 have shown `at 44 a series of perforations in the cover plate 6 into any one of which said stop pin may be inserted and secured in place.l

Then it isdesired to secure the door in the open position to which it may. have been swung, the connections may be held against relative movement crossivise ot the door by Va suitable device, such, for example, as the eccentric locking rod, 4-5, 1which is illustrated asjournaled at its opposite ends, d6 and 17, in suitable bearings in the lovver part of the casing When in the position shown in Fig. 4, that is, with its flattened side up, the collar 22 of the connections .to the pistonr may slide freely crossivi'se .ot the door, but Whenthe eccentric is turned substantially through an angle of ninety degrees so that its largest diameter is-vertical, the collar 2Q. ivill be securely wedged in place and movement of it crossivise of the door Will be prevented. Under such conditions of `course swinging movement oi' the, door about the door-hinges Will also bey prevented.` rlhe length of the locking eccentric rod L1-5 should be suilicient to permityit to Wedge said collar against movement Whatever may be the angular position of the open door, and hence Whatever may be the position of the collar crossivise of the door. Suitable means may be employed for turning the locking rod ln the yconstruction illustrated said rod hasat yits right-hand end a bell-crank lever, i418, to one arm of which is connected the upper end of an operating element, such as a vchain or cord, di), preferably passing over rollers, 50, and connected at its lower end to Vone arm of another bell-crank lever, 51, vthe other arm of which is connected as by a chain, 52, to the lower rarm of the bellcranlrlever 118.1 .nrfixed relation with the bell-crank 51 is a short operating lever, v53,v adapted to Worlr in a suitable op.ening,'54f, in the inner edgey of the door. l.When .the handle or lever v53 is turned properly the locking rod may be sliii'ted `by the connectionsjust described into or out oit' locking position vas desired. lill of these connections are also substantially concealed, and the operating member oi handle 53 is Within easy reach so that the operation of the locking rod, which is located at the upper edge of the door, may be readily and conveniently controlled. n

In connection with the means for, holding the door open 1 may provide for automatically actuating the same.y Here the locking -rod or rock-shaft i5 has a cam, 55, projecting into the and the parts lare so combined that when said collar reaches the cam 55 it will turn said cam and with it the rock-shaft 45. Here the movement is in a direction lfor path of the collar 2:2,

releasing said rock-shaft from locking engagement with the collar. 1t will be understood that even when locked open the door may be swung by hand, though not freely.

lllhat 1 claim is 1. 1n a door-check, a door and la door-frame, ot a locking device within the door and embodying an element relatively movable in said; door, connecting means between said relatively movable element and the door-frame, and means carried by and Alocated Within the door and cooperative vvith said connecting means for stopping the door in a predetermined angular position, said means including a pair of cooperative stops one of which is movable in unison with said movable element of the checking device.

2. In a door-check, the combination With a door and a door-frame, of a checking device vvithin the door and embodying an element relatively movable in said door, connecting means between said relatively movable element and the door-frame, and means carried by and located Within the door and cooperative With saidvconnecting means for the combination vvith stopping the door in any one of a plurality of angular positions, said means including a pair of cooperative stops one of Whichis movable in unison with said movable element of the checking device.

3. 1n a door-check, the combination with a door and a door-frame', of a .cylinder Within the door, a piston mounted to Work in said cylinder, connecting means between said piston and the door-frame, .a stop Within the door and coperative with said connecting means for stopping the door `in a predetermined angular position, and a stop cooperative with and movablev in the of said iirst stop and movable in unison with said piston. 4

et. 1n a door-check, the combination with a door and a door-frame, of a cylinder Withinthe door, a piston mounted to Work in said cylinder, connecting means between said piston and the door-frame, a stop adjustable to any one of a plurality of positions Within the door and cooperative With said connecting means for stopping the door in any one of a'plurality of angular positions corresponding to the' position of said stop, and a stop cooperative with and movable in the path 0i' said first stop and movable iniinison with said piston.

5. lnv a door-check, the combination With a door and a door-frame, of a pair of oppositely facing cylinders Within the door, pistons mounted to ivorl; in said cylinders, piston-rods connected respectively to said pistons, means for simultaneously moving said piston-rods vin opposite directions, and connecting means embodying tvvo members ypivoted together and one of Which is pivoted to one of said pistons and the other of which is pivoted to the door-frame and has a limited angular movement.

ln a door-check, the combination with a door and a door-frame, of a pair of 0ppositely facing cylinders Within the door, pistons mounted to work in said cylinders, piston-rods connected respectively to said pistons, connecting' means between said pistons for simultaneously moving them in opposite directions, and connecting means embodying two members pivoted together and one of which is pivoted to one of said pistons and the other of which is pivoted to the door-frame and has a limited angular mov ment.

7. ln a door-check, the combination with a door and a door-frame, of a liquid reservoir within the door and extending transversely thereof, a pair of oppositely facing cylinders within said liquid reservoir, pistons mounted to work in said cylinders7 piston-rods connected respectively to said pistons, connecting means between said pistonrods for simultaneously moving them in 0pposite directions, and connecting means embodying two members pivoted together and one of which is pivoted to one of said tons and the other of which is pivoted to the door-frame and has a limited angular movement. A

8. In a door-check, the combination with a door and a door-frame, of a liquid reservoir within the door and extending transversely thereof, a pair of oppositely facing cylinders within said liquid reservoir, pistons mounted to work in said cylinders, piston-rods connected respectively to said pistons and having racks, a pinion disposed between and in constant mesh with the teeth of said racks, and connecting means between one of said piston-rods and the door-frame.

9. In a door check, the combination with a door and a door-frame, of a cylinder within the casing of the door, a piston mounted to work in said cylinder, a spring connected with said piston and also located within the casing of the door, means within said casing for regulating the tension of said spring, and connecting means between said piston and the door-frame.

l0. In a door-check, the combination with Copies of this patent maybe obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of PatentsV pis- Y a door and a door-frame, of a checking de` vice within the door and embodying an element relativelyY movable in said door, connecting' means between said relatively movable element and the door-frame and embodying a slidable collar, and maens for engaging said collar and holding it against sliding movement.

1l. in a door-check, the combination with a door and a door-frame, of a checking Vdevice within the door and embodying an element relatively movable in. said door, connecting' means between said relatively movable element and the door-frame and embodying a slidable collar, and means for holding said collar against sliding movement said means embodying an eccentric for engaging' said collar.

l2. In a door-check, the combination with a door and a door-frame, of a checking device within the door and embodying an element relatively movable in said door, connecting means between said relatively movable element and the door-frame and embodying a slidable collar, and means for holding said collar against sliding movement said means embodying a rock-shaft having a long eccentric surface and adapted to engage and lock said collar in various longitudinal positions of the latter.V

13. In a door-check, the combination with Y a door and a door-frame, 0f a checking device within the door and embodying an element relatively movable in said door, connecting' means between said relatively movable element and the door-frame, a device shiftable between two positions in one of which it holds said relatively movable element against relative movement in said door and in the other of which it permits relative movement of said element, and means controlled by the movement of the door to a predetermined position for shifting said device from one of its positions to the other.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this lst day of March, A.. D. 1913.

l/VALTER S. FINKEN. Vitnesses Rose EISENSTADT, C. H. CHAMPION.

Washington, D. C. 

